26 Aug 1809

Parl y Reform B. Modus obstruendi[?]

Ch. Applications to whom

3

3

2. In the next place to the House of Commons - And why to the House of Commons?

1. Because though in former days, before the constitution had received its settlement /was as yet unsettled[?]/, the fixation of the districts by /from/ which Representatives should be commissioned /sent/ had been made by the King alone, Parliaments /Parliam/ depending for their frequency for their duration and even for their existence on the will of the King /pecuniary necessities of the Monarch/ - though in this state of things the assumption of this power by the King was through necessity submitted to, yet at present the constitution being settled the annually repeated or rather temporary and short recess excepted the constant session of parliaments received[?], to behold the assumption and [...?] of so extraordinary a power performed by the Crown alone that is by the King's advisers, secret or official, is what /an arrangement which/ even in force[?] no one, it is supposed, would at this time of day endure.

2. Because since the fixation of the existence of Parliament as a necessary part[?] of the constitution, and that, short recess excepted, as much at one time as another, whatever has been done in the way /view/ of rectifying abuses or making improvements in the constitution of the House of Commons has in fact originated in that House.

Witness the Grenville Act: also the Borough disfranchisement Acts of which presently.